EXPLORING THE DETERMINANTS OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN KARST CAVE GEOTOURISM: IDENTIFYING CAVE TOURISM IN INDONESIA

Abstract

Indonesia's vast karst landscape offers great economic potential through geotourism development. However, excessive exploitation poses a risk of environmental damage, making a sustainable approach essential to ensure environmentally, socially, and economically responsible management. This study explores the factors that influence the achievement of sustainable tourism in karst cave geotourism in Jomblang Cave, Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta. Its contribution is to develop a model to reveal the achievement of sustainable tourism in karst cave geotourism. This study adapts the Modified Geosite Assessment Model (MGAM) variables with the addition of safety and enjoyment variables as a novelty. These factors have not been explicitly emphasized in prior geotourism evaluation frameworks, despite their strong influence on visitor satisfaction and behavior. Incorporating them addresses a critical gap and aligns the model more closely with real-world visitor expectations. It uses survey and non-probability methods, especially convenience sampling, and 310 valid respondents were obtained. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to analyze the construct's validity and reliability, and partial quadratic structural equation modelling was used to test the hypothesis using SmartPLS 3 software. The analysis found that the model could explain 72.2% of the variance in achieving sustainable tourism. The tested factors, namely education, aesthetics, protection, function, tourism, safety, and enjoyment, significantly impact sustainable tourism in Jomblang Cave. This indicates that a multidimensional approach, combining environmental, social, and experiential values, is essential for karst geotourism success.Tourism management implemented in Jomblang Cave successfully moderates other factors in this direction. These results contribute to the existing literature on sustainable tourism and pave the way for further development of Jomblang Cave tourism to fit the karst geotourism strategy concept framework. This enrichment refines geotourism models by prioritizing visitor experience while maintaining conservation, and supports adaptive planning aligned with evolving visitor needs. This approach helps preserve Jomblang Cave's natural heritage while making it a valuable educational and experiential destination. Collaboration with local communities and conservationists promotes sustainable tourism that benefits the environment and the local economy.